PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, low back disability with sciatica, and PTSD. Service connection was denied for right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 70% disability rating, effective from February 23, 2012. A higher rating of over 70% for PTSD is denied since June 23, 2013. The Veteran is also granted TDIU status since January 7, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including nervous condition (depressive reaction), bipolar disorder, PTSD, general anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder, is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since April 5, 2005. The Board found that the symptoms of his PTSD have caused significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD is related to his active service, specifically the 1996 terrorist attack in Saudi Arabia. The Board has granted service connection for PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequacy of the August 2016 VA examination and insufficient explanation regarding the Veteran's claimed mental disorders.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, is rated at 30 percent. The rating is denied as the symptoms do not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to provide a more thorough opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions, including PTSD and depression. The VA will attempt to obtain morning reports from his service unit and conduct an addendum examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent prior to November 28, 2012, and at 50 percent thereafter. The Board has ordered a remand for further examination and evaluation of the Veteran's PTSD in order to determine if his symptoms have worsened since the last VA examination in October 2013.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70% from October 3, 2005 to October 24, 2012. A TDIU is granted from April 1, 2008 and SMC and DEA are also granted from that date.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they are consistent with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically generalized anxiety disorder, is granted as it is etiologically related to his active duty service.

The claim for service connection for TBI was reopened and granted, while the claim for PTSD secondary to TBI was denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss, as well as service connection for nerve damage are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected. The claim for hiatal hernia remains pending and will be remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical records. The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD is being reopened as new evidence was submitted.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50% since December 15, 2011. The Board found that the symptoms did not warrant a higher rating prior to this date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ear hearing loss disability has been reopened, and the appeal is granted. The right ear hearing loss disability and asthma claims are remanded due to new evidence received since the final denial in February 1994. The acquired psychiatric disability (including depression and PTSD) claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by symptoms of total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent disability rating.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and verifying his claimed stressors.